The director whose credits include Netflix's "House of Cards" and NBC's "Hannibal" allegedly becomes the studio's favourite to helm "Fifty Shades Darker", according to Deadline.

Negotiations haven't begun yet but are expected to start soon. Foley is in the mix along with Rebecca Thomas ("Electrick Children"), Mark Pellington ("Going All the Way"), and Tanya Wexler ("Hysteria").

"Fifty Shades Darker" will be released on February 10, 2017.

It's envisioned as "more of a thriller." It's written by Niall Leonard, the husband of "Fifty Shades" author E L James who infamously clashed with director Sam Taylor-Johnson during the making of the first one.

"Fifty Shades Freed" is scheduled to follow on February 9, 2018. There is a speculation that Foley may direct the third movie as well. Jamie Dornan returns as the kinky billionaire Christian Grey and Dakota Johnson is back as Anastasia Steele.